Chapter 11: Developing a Sustainable Mountain Resorts Design Framework for Aseer, Saudi Arabia

Vision 2030 aims to put the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the world tourism map. Over 30 licenses have been issued to establish touristic hospitality accommodation facilities in the Aseer region alone. However, none of the projects have been completed so far. Sustainable Tourism Development in Aseer should integrate environmental sensitivity and community consideration and aim to save natural resources. Additionally, the natural mountainous topography of Aseer can be an ideal location to construct sustainable resorts that can revive the tourism industry. Given the lack of sustainable resorts in Aseer, this chapter offers insights into developing a sustainable mountain resort design framework. A qualitative approach involving the analysis of five case studies from different countries was used to identify the principles of the proposed design framework. The framework was categorized as follows: landscape integration, sustainable construction, water and energy efficiency, and local community engagement. The framework offers stakeholders and architects essential guidance for designing sustainable resorts in the mountainous area of Aseer.